My Secret Desire

****Chloe POV****

"Please I'll take the job, regardless of the pay" I pleaded, looking into the owner's eyes with desperation. The owner of the restaurant, Mr Brown glanced at me, before heaving a reply. " I wish I could help you, but we only accept College graduates. Your resúmé clearly states that you're not qualified for the job."

I pursed my lips together as I clenched my fist in annoyance. "But sir, don't you have another role available? I really need this job" "My hands are tied child" he said to me. And with that, I sauntered away. Back into the streets, on a quest for a new job. My mother was confined to a wheelchair from a ghastly car crash. When i was thirteen years old, my family embarked on a road trip to Utah for a family vacation. Suddenly the brake system to my Dad's car failed, causing it to plunge into a ditch. I and my little sister, Amelia, were lucky to survive the crash unhurt. However, my Dad died in the crash and my mother, paralyzed from the waist down.

I thought about my life and the challenges that were before me. I looked to the ground, and kicked an innocent rock. "What a shitty life" I muttered under my breath whilst taking out a piece of paper from my pocket. "There goes my last stop." I said, crossing the name of the restaurant. I was already working two jobs. I worked as a florist down town during the day and as an assistant at a grocery store in the evening.

I looked down at my phone and smiled, seeing a photo of my mother and sister. My mother was the reason why I was working multiple jobs right now. I was the breadwinner of the family as my sister was still a minor.

I smiled upon seeing a "hiring" sign down the street after hours of walking. However i quickly halted when my phone rang.

I answered, without looking at the call ID.

"Hello"

"Hello" Amelia said in a worried tone.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my heart skipped a beat.

"It's mum. She just suddenly collapsed."

"Calm down, have you called the hospital?"

"I called already. We are heading to the hospital now in an ambulance." Amelia replied. Her voice drained of emotions.

"I'm on my way." I cursed under my breath.

I booked a taxi, which took me straight to the hospital. I raced up the flight of stairs, as I approached the nurse on duty.

" Good day ma. I'm here for Mrs. Rosemary Rossett." i said, beaming a smile at the nurse on duty. "Go down the hallway, then take the first turn by your left." the lady replied.

"I'm here," . As I opened the curtain to my mother's bed. We couldn't afford to pay for a private room, which left me feeling furious. My mother was hooked to an IV. Amelia was seated beside her.

"Sis, you made it." Amelia rushed me into a hug.

"How is her condition? What did the doctor say?" I asked.

With a weary look, Amelia replied. "It's terrible sis. We need a miracle for mother to get better. I'll go get the doctor now."

I sat on the bed, beside my mother, holding her hands into mine as my thoughts ruminated all over.

"Chloe" came the Doctor's voice which pulled me from my reverie. "Good day Doctor Lennox." I greeted." I see your mother is still asleep, although her condition is more stable now. The result from the test shows she's diabetic and her blood pressure is high."

I felt a wave of anxiety and trepidation wash over me as I gulped. My mother's condition was only getting bad by the day and I needed to find a solution quickly.

"Okay Doctor, what do we need to get mum feeling better" I said, holding back a pool of tears in my eyes. Amelia noticed it and dabbed my face.

Doctor Lennox nodded his head and brought out a paper. "In here, is the total cost and the required forms of treatment for your mother." he said, handing the paper over to me. I took it with shaky hands.

"200,000 thousand Dollars?". My eyes widened in shock at the staggering amount that was needed. "Where are we going to possibly get that kind of money from?" Amelia asked, hugging my side as she sobbed. I felt my stomach twist into a knot. "Okay Doctor. When do we get started?" I asked. As I bit my lips, without a clue as to how I would raise the money.

"As soon as possible Chloe" Doctor Lennox smiled at me. And with that, he spun around and left.

"We don't have that kind of money sis. What are we going to do?" Amelia asked with teary eyes.

"Don't cry, I've got some savings. That should get us started with mum's treatment while I look for the rest." I assured her. My voice laced with confidence. "Here take this," pulling out a $50 bill. Use it to buy some food for yourself and mum when she wakes up. It's almost time for my evening shift." I pulled Amelia into a hug and kissed her hair. She had sapphire colored eyes, chestnut hair with a charming smile, just like our Dad.

"Hey girl" Zoe snapped her fingers in my face. I was lost in my thoughts as I had zoned out. "What's wrong Chloe? What are you always thinking of?" her voice laced with concern. Zoe was my childhood friend.

"I'm fine, It's nothing." I lied. Trying to avoid more questions from her. Zoe was always curious. I guess, that trait earned her the moniker "Brainy."

"Don't try lying to me Chloe" She said, cupping my cheeks into her hands. With a grin across her face. "I know you've been through a lot lately, just know that everything is going to be okay."

"Thanks love." I sighed. I really needed those words of encouragement. Whenever I felt low, Zoe was always there.

***Chloe POV****

I got to the flower store an hour late, and my worst nightmare was meeting Mrs Isabella.

"Chloe, do you have any idea what time it is?" she snapped as I entered the store.

"I'm sorry ma, my mum was ill and we had to...". " I don't want to hear your excuses girly. You're always late. The only reason why I haven't fired you yet is because you have a pretty smile and customers like you. Other than that, you would've been gone a long time ago. My boss, Mrs. Isabella lectured me with a menacing frown. I sighed "I know, I'm sorry. It won't happen again." I apologized. She waved her hand in dismissal. "Whatever, I don't care. Go brush your hair. It looks disheveled. I'll be going for an appointment at the hospital." I pursed my lips as she walked away. I quickly changed into the store apron, arranging the flowers while the radio played my favorite tune. I was humming to the song when he walked in. It felt like time had frozen as he strode towards me. I gulped and I felt a lump in my throat. He was tall with broad shoulders, his statue towering over me. He had black curly hair that pooled down to his shoulders, his eyes were gray with a perfectly shaped jawline. He had a tattoo on his left arm. Giving off a Greek-god-like aura.

"Hello, how much for this flowers." his voiced reverberating across the store. I felt my heart skip a beat. I had never felt this way before, especially towards a stranger.

"That would be $20 bucks sir" I said, taking the flower from him to wrap it. Our gaze intertwined, I felt his hand brush against mine. There was an awkward silence as he looked at me intently before I broke the silence. "Would you like anything else?"

I asked, avoiding his gaze. A little smile danced on the corner of his lips, which made me blush.

"My name is Xavier Clashkov." he said with an outreached hand.

"I'm Ch.. Chloe Rosett" I stuttered, as I shook his hand

"Nice to make your acquaintance Chloe. You seem new around here." He squinted.

"Not really, I just started working here few months ago..." I was interrupted, when a lady walked in. From her style of dressing and the way she clung tight to Xavier, it was obvious that she was a model and they two had a thing for each other.

"Baby, what's taking you so long?" the lady said, as she chewed on her gum.

"This here is my fiancé, Melissa" Xavier introduced her to me. "Melissa, meet Chloe".

Melissa grimaced at me without saying a word.

"Baby lets go please. Aren't you done with the flower?" she frowned, pulling Xavier out of the store.

"You forgot your change sir." I yelled from behind them as they made their way out of the store, and into their car as they sped off. I sighed in relief catching my breathe. Zoe walked in with two shopping bags, out of the blues. She was materialistic and would do anything to get the fancy things of life. "And where are you coming from with all those bags." I pouted. She laughed hysterically. "I won't bother you with the details my dear. I've got even better news for you." she started. My heart skipped, my ears eager to hear what she had to say. "A fund raiser is coming up in a few days, The top one percent of the elite class will be there. I was able to get us slots to serve as waitresses during the fund raiser. The pay will be worth it." she said, handing me a black card which had my name on it as one of the waitress. "Oh dear, where would I be without you?" I said, pulling Amelia into a warm hug. "Okay, I can't breathe. Don't ruin my makeup." Amelia chuckled, breaking the hug. We both laughed heartily, as she tells me of her sexescapade with an older man who took her shopping after a pleasurable night.

"You should try it out, Chloe. I seem to wonder what you're afraid of." she said.

"You already know my stand on that. I can't sell my body." I replied. Her jaw dropped as she gawked at me. We were best of friends, with different interests. I wanted to become a nurse. While Zoe wanted to be an actress. The day slowly gave way to the night, as I walked home. I wasn't in the best of moods to resume work at the grocery store. So I informed Zoe, I'll be calling in sick. It was 9:30pm by the time I got home. Mum was asleep in her room. And Amelia was sitted in the living room watching her favorite program.

"Welcome sis," Amelia rushed me into a hug. I smiled, ruffling my hand through her hair. "How are you kiddo?" I smiled at her.

"Did you give mum her meds before bedtime" I asked with a scrutinizing look.

"Yes sis, I did all of that. I'm not little any more you know" she pouted. I just turned 21 and Amelia was 17. We were all we got. We always looked out for each other.

"Here I brought you lasagna." it was her favorite. Amelia frown vanished and was quickly replaced with a grin. "Thank you sis, thank you " she hurriedly yanked the paper bag from my hand as she rummage through it. " I was able to save up $5000 as installment payment, for mum to start her treatment at the hospital. I purred. Amelia whirled towards me with a bewildered look on her face. "Where did you get that kind of money Chloe!?" Amelia panicked. "Did you rob a bank?"

"Come off it kiddo." I chuckled. "I didn't rob a bank. I've been saving for a very long time now and this here is the result of that savings. I'm glad we are using it for something useful."

***Xavier POV****

"Babe," I greeted through the phone. "Aren't you going to come see me today?" I enquired with a smile spread across my face.

"You know I have a modeling shoot with some top agencies. "Melissa said in a sweet tone. "How about I come by tomorrow?" Her voice turned me on, making my dick twitch in my pants.

I heaved a sigh, as my mind trailed off to the conversation I had with my parents.

"It's in your best interest that you break up with that woman and start a family of your own my son, you aren't getting any younger and I'm sure you want to inherit the family business. You will make us happy if you do as we have asked." Those were my father's words.

"Melissa, have you thought about what my parents said?" I asked her.

"Xavier darling, you know I love you but I can't get married. At least not now. That's a lot of commitment baby. A wave of depression washed over me. I didn't know what else to say.

"Hello... hello, Melissa are you there?"

She hung up the call on me.

I pursed my lip in anger, a frown creased upon my forehead.

I picked up the phone again and called my best friend Jason.

"Hey man, let's meet up at the Imperials" I said.

"What? Jason asked, obviously he just woke up. "I was sleeping you little p***k"

I scoffed as I got the keys to my bugatti chevron "Call the others"

"Okay man, you got it" Jason replied.

I smirked as I revved up my engine making my way to the venue. I got to the Imperials and was surprised to see all my friends already there.

"What's up man, we already ordered some drinks and the ladies are on their way." Jason said with a grin across his face. He took a cup and filled it with liquor, pouring the liquid down his throat.

"Wow, slow down buddy" Maxwell, one of my friends said his voice laced with concern.

"Why did you call us out to drink, Xavier?" his gaze fixed on me.

"Same old thing." I replied.

"Wait, don't tell me... Is this about starting a family? your parents are still on that?" Maxwell chuckled shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yes, and I think they are serious this time around. They don't want to hand me the company until I have a family of my own." I said, my voice drained of every emotion. I couldn't believe my father would make me agree to such terms and conditions before handing over the company to me. The same company I put my blood, sweat and tears into. My father was being unreasonable.

"What? That's bullshit!, you've been working at that company since we were little. Jason exclaimed.

"Have you discussed this with Melissa yet?" he added.

"That's the challenge, Melissa doesn't want to start a family with me. She is more focused on her modeling career, especially now that big brands are beginning to recognize her. I don't think my mum would approve of her either" I said, rolling my eyes.

Maxwell clicked his tongue. "You are right about that, Melissa doesn't speak in your parents presence and I've seen the way your mother looks at her".

I sighed in frustration, taking another glass of liquor. "I don't know what to do anymore, I might just give up the company"

"No, you can't do that, Not after everything you've been through" Maxwell bellowed, placing my hands in his own.

"I have a brilliant idea guys" Jason said with a serious look. "How about you get a fake bride, and you two get married for a year. That way you get the company and she in return is well paid. It's only for a short period right?"

"You might have a point there Jason. You aren't a total drunk after all." Maxwell chuckled. I reclined in my seat, as I thought about what Jason had suggested. Time was running out on me, if I didn't take a decisive stance. I would lose the company. Confusing thoughts raced through my mind, I felt my heart clench tightly against my rib cage. The thought of a fake bride seemed repulsive to me. But that seemed like the only possible way to get my parents to will over the company to me. I noticed one of the girls that Jason invited was staring at me. So I signaled for her to come closer.

We went to a private room and got down to business. She unzipped my trouser as she held onto my dick firmly. Putting it in her mouth, she sucked on me like it was candy. I grabbed her hair, pushing my cock deeper down her throat. I had no interest in her, although she was voluptuous, I fucked her face. She pleased me so well, I smeared my semen all over her face. "Get the hell out" I barked, spraying a wad of cash at her.

She smiled, picked the cash and left the room. She looked hideous to me afterwards. I drove home after settling the bills, took a shower and went straight to bed. As I laid in bed, thoughts of Chloe floated through my mind. Her beautiful emerald green eyes, her cupid bow shaped lips and her blonde locks, which accentuated her very beauty.

How is it possible, that I always visited that store but I'd never seen her. 'Strange' I murmured to myself. "All you need is a fake bride and all your problems will be over." Jason's words echoed in my head.

At this point, I was caught between the devil and a deep blue sea. I sat up from my bed as I scrolled through my phone. The picture of Melissa made me smile. 'Hey love, I hope your photo shoot was great. Let's spend some time together this weekend. Love you' I sent her a text message, and sighed.